Much like their last contest, when Cuellar narrowly defeated the one-term Flores in the 2008 Democratic primary after multiple recounts, lawsuits and allegations of voter fraud, this election was marred by controversy.

Flores initially attempted to challenge Cuellar during this year's Democratic primary in a county with few Republicans. He was kicked off the ballot after the county's party chairman determined Flores was a resident of Arizona, where he worked after losing to Cuellar. As a result, Flores was left running as an independent against an opponent who benefited from straight-party Democratic voting, amounting to almost half of all votes cast.

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“Maybe it would have been different in the primaries, I don't know,” Flores said Wednesday. “But either way, the man's going to remain in office and he is our sheriff and we have to work with our elected officials and respect them.”

Sheriff Cuellar did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday.

During the campaign, Flores focused on what he said was the need for a new jail, pointing to a number of escapes from the downtown Laredo facility under Cuellar's watch.

Cuellar pointed to an expansion of the department under his leadership, including bringing in a flood of federal and state grant money, as well as large drug and cash seizures. Under his tenure, the department has added equipment and worked more closely with other agencies, Cuellar has said.

Congressman Henry Cuellar also won his reelection bid, with 63 percent of the vote.